What it asks: "Shall district taxes be increased by $150,000 (first year increase) annually, and by whatever additional amounts are raised thereafter, by an additional mill levy of not more than 2.723 mills, (for a total general operating mill levy of 8.912 mills) commencing in tax year 2012 for collection in fiscal year 2013, with such proceeds to be used for general operations, which may include, but are not limited to: attracting, training and retaining qualified personnel; continuing to provide quick response time to emergency incidents; purchasing necessary equipment and vehicles to support firefighters; covering cost increases for fuel, maintenance, insurance, personnel and other operating costs; and shall such tax proceeds be collected and spent by the district as a voter approved revenue and spending changes in each year, without regard to any spending or revenue limitation contained in Article x, Section 20 of the Colorado Constitution or section 29-1-301, Colorado Revised Statutes?"

What it means: The Boulder Mountain Fire Protection District is seeking approval to increase property taxes on district residents, roughly $108 per year for a home valued at $500,000, to raise money that will be used to pay for increasing operating costs and the purchase of new equipment without having to adhere to strict restrictions and rules imposed by Colorado's Taxpayer Bill of Rights.

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What supporters say: Increasing funding is essential if the Boulder Mountain Fire Protection District is going to maintain the levels of service it provides to its residents. The district, which last sought a tax increase in 2000, is funded primarily through property taxes, and revenues have decreased with declining assessed home values in recent years. Government grants for equipment purchases also have declined recently as fire danger continues to rise.

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